Since de-mothballing my planes I've been working out what period and theatre of the war to concentrate on. I'm currently wondering what best to do with my two Italian Caproni CA.3 models (the Buttini/Remitti one, apparently in the markings of Regio Esercito / 3a Squadriglia).
There are various mentions here (and elsewhere) of Italian squadrons being posted to the Western Front. I've been trying to confirm when 3 Squadron was one of these.
Also (in this extremely useful thread here) it is stated that for the Western Front:
With the above in mind I was also considering making a couple of extra-slow decks and using the models as CA.1. But with what colour scheme for the miniatures? This led me to a puzzling wikipedia page entry (and yes, I realise Wiki is not a primary source and is often wrong, but it's somewhere to start!), thus:Caproni Ca.1 - - - 1915(07)07-1917(12)12 ? pts
(Use Caproni Ca.3 model with “XDs” maneuver deck “XDtra Slow”)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caproni_Ca.1_%281914%29
In the brief paragraph regarding the operational history it is stated that: "The 12th squadron operated in Libya. In 1918 three squadrons (3, 14 and 15) operated in France."
The mention that 3 Squadron was on of those posted to the Western Front is certainly interesting. However, 1918 for the CA.1; does this seem accurate? Would a squadron of CA.1 still have been flying in 1918? Wouldn't they have been flying CA.3 by then?
So, trying to unravel this:
- If 3 squadron was posted to the Western Front, in either CA.1 or CA.3, would the colour scheme for the model currently (very pale, with few markings except the massive tricolour under the lower wing) seem to be likely for the "exported" squadron?
- When was 3 squadron on the Western Front? (And where, if possible?)
- Were they flying CA.1 or CA.3? (Or did they transition from one to the other at some point?)
It's interesting and frustrating in equal measure trying to work out the facts behind the 'mystery' of the Caproni! (Bizarrely, my copy of Jane's Aircraft of WWI barely mentions the CA.3 while giving considerably more attention to the CA.4.)
Any help greatly appreciated!
(My emphasis on emboldened sections.)
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